Negros’ Kanlaon Volcano placed on Alert Level 2

MANILA, Philippines — Negros’ Kanlaon Volcano was placed on Alert Level 2, meaning a “moderate level of unrest,” Wednesday, November 15, after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology recorded 279 deep volcanic earthquakes over the last 24 hours.

In a bulletin, Phivolcs said “the number of volcanic earthquakes detected per day has continued to increase” on Kanlaon since August 18.

Alert Level 2 is declared when “there is probable intrusion of magma at depth which may or may not lead to a magmatic eruption,” Phivolca said.

And while the agency said “there has been no visible degassing or steaming from the active vent this year,” it warned that “increased unrest could possibly develop into steam-driven or phreatic eruptions at the summit.”

It urged the strict implementation of the ban against entry into the four-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone around the volcano’s crater and asked civil aviation authorities to “advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejecta from any sudden phreatic eruption can be hazardous to aircraft.”